GitHub Vs GitLab: Difference Between GitHub & GitLab

GitHub and GitLab are both powerful platforms that help developers collaborate, manage code, and streamline DevOps workflows. GitHub is widely recognized for its massive open-source community, while GitLab distinguishes itself with its built-in CI/CD and self-hosting capabilities.

The difference between GitHub vs GitLab can be confusing, especially when choosing the right platform for your team or project.

This article will break down each tool, highlighting how they compare in terms of features, pricing, integrations, and overall developer experience.

Boost your development skills with upGrad’s online software development courses. Learn Git, GitHub, CI/CD, and more to accelerate your career in tech. Take the next step in your dev journey!

GitHub vs GitLab: Key Differences

GitHub and GitLab are two of the most popular platforms for managing Git repositories and streamlining DevOps workflows. While both offer robust version control, CI/CD integration, and team collaboration tools, they differ in features, flexibility, and how they fit into your development pipeline.

Choosing between GitHub vs GitLab can be confusing, especially when considering long-term project needs like scalability, automation, and security. Migrating or managing repositories across platforms can be challenging if you don't have the right DevOps tools and strategies in place.

Want to grow your Git skills and understand how platforms like GitHub and GitLab fit into modern development workflows? Here are some curated courses to help you get hands-on with version control, CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices.

• Professional Certificate Program in Cloud Computing and DevOps
• Master of Design in User Experience
• AI-Driven Full-stack Development

To help you better understand the difference between GitHub vs GitLab, check out the table below:

Also Read: DevOps Architecture Tutorial: Introduction, Components & Benefits

upGrad’s Exclusive Software and Tech Webinar for you –

SAAS Business – What is So Different?

Next, let’s explore what GitHub and GitLab offer individually, and when to choose one over the other.

A Quick Guide to GitHub and GitLab

GitHub and GitLab both offer robust version control, CI/CD tools, and team collaboration features, but they excel in different areas. GitHub is the go-to platform for open-source projects. GitLab, on the other hand, stands out for its built-in DevOps tools and easy self-hosting. 

If you're trying to decide between the two, consider what each one does best and where they can complement each other in your workflow.

What Is GitHub?

GitHub is a cloud-based Git repository hosting service designed for distributed version control, collaboration, and open-source development. Core features include pull requests for code reviews, Git for version control, and GitHub Actions for automation.

Core Concepts

• Repositories: Central storage for code, issues, and documentation.
• Pull Requests (PRs): Propose changes and initiate peer reviews before merging.
• GitHub Actions: Integrated CI/CD workflows triggered on pushes or PRs.
• Stars & Forks: Community metrics for open-source popularity and branching.
• Marketplace: Plugins and tools to extend functionality.

Example: Pushing Code to GitHub Using Git CLI

GitHub’s open-source community and intuitive pull-request-centric workflow make it a go-to for collaborative development and rapid CI/CD pipelines. Let’s say you've made changes to your local project and now want to upload them to your GitHub repository. Here's a step-by-step guide with commands:

1. Initialize Git (if you haven’t already):

git init

2. Add the remote GitHub repository:

Replace the URL with your actual repo URL.

git remote add origin 
https://github.com/your-username/your-repo-name.git

3. Add your changes:

git add .

4. Commit the changes with a message:

git commit -m "accepted"

5. Push the code to the main branch on GitHub:

git push -u origin main

Command Explanation: When you push code to a remote repository using Git (e.g., via git push), all committed changes along with their commit messages become visible on GitHub. Each commit entry includes a message summarizing the change, the timestamp, and the author. You can also view the latest updates to folders and files, including apps, components, and public content.  You can also view metadata, including the number of commits, language usage, and the README.

Also Read: How to Use GitHub: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started and Exploring Its Benefits in 2025

What Is GitLab?

GitLab is a comprehensive DevOps platform that combines Git repository management, CI/CD, project planning, monitoring, and security features in a single application. It can be hosted on-premises or used in the cloud, making GitHub vs GitLab comparisons vital for large enterprises.

Core Concepts

• Repositories & Merge Requests (MRs): Similar to pull requests but with more built-in controls.
• Pipelines: Built-in CI/CD defined in .gitlab-ci.yml.
• Issue Tracking & Boards: Agile planning with epics, milestones, and Kanban boards
• Self-Hosting: Full control via GitLab CE/EE on private servers.
• Security & DevOps Tools: Built-in SAST, DAST, and container registry.

Example: CI/CD Pipeline with GitLab
A simple .gitlab-ci.yml to test and build code:

# GitLab CI/CD Pipeline Configuration
stages:
  - test
  - build
  - deploy

# Define variables
variables:
  NODE_VERSION: "18"
  CACHE_KEY: "$CI_COMMIT_REF_SLUG"

# Cache node_modules for faster builds
cache:
  key: "$CACHE_KEY"
  paths:
    - node_modules/
  policy: pull-push

# Test stage
test:
  stage: test
  image: node:$NODE_VERSION
  before_script:
    - npm ci --cache .npm --prefer-offline
  script:
    - npm run test
    - npm run lint
  coverage: '/Lines\s*:\s*(\d+\.\d+)%/'
  artifacts:
    reports:
      coverage_report:
        coverage_format: cobertura
        path: coverage/cobertura-coverage.xml
    expire_in: 1 week
  only:
    - merge_requests
    - main
    - develop

# Build stage
build:
  stage: build
  image: node:$NODE_VERSION
  before_script:
    - npm ci --cache .npm --prefer-offline
  script:
    - npm run build
  artifacts:
    paths:
      - dist/
    expire_in: 1 hour
  only:
    - main
    - develop
  needs:
    - test

# Deploy stage (example for staging)
deploy_staging:
  stage: deploy
  image: alpine:latest
  before_script:
    - apk add --no-cache rsync openssh
  script:
    - echo "Deploying to staging server..."
    - rsync -avz --delete dist/ $STAGING_USER@$STAGING_HOST:$STAGING_PATH
  environment:
    name: staging
    url: https://staging.example.com
  only:
    - develop
  needs:
    - build
  when: manual

# Deploy stage (example for production)
deploy_production:
  stage: deploy
  image: alpine:latest
  before_script:
    - apk add --no-cache rsync openssh
  script:
    - echo "Deploying to production server..."
    - rsync -avz --delete dist/ $PROD_USER@$PROD_HOST:$PROD_PATH
  environment:
    name: production
    url: https://example.com
  only:
    - main
  needs:
    - build
  when: manual

Explanation: A GitLab CI/CD pipeline is an automated workflow that runs whenever you push code to your GitLab repository. It automatically tests your code, builds the application, and can deploy it to different environments (staging and production) without manual intervention. This ensures code quality and enables continuous delivery by catching bugs early and streamlining the deployment process.

Also Read: Top 15+ Open Source Projects on GitHub to Explore in 2025

Advance Your GitHub vs GitLab Skills with upGrad!

The choice between GitHub vs GitLab is about selecting the right tool for your development workflow. While both offer Git-based version control and CI/CD capabilities, GitHub stands out with its massive community, whereas GitLab excels with its built-in DevOps features. 

To improve your workflow, learn how to automate testing with pipelines. Manage feature branches efficiently. Connect container tools, such as Docker or Kubernetes, directly to your project.

Still unsure where to start with GitHub or GitLab? upGrad’s tech courses can help you build real-world skills in Git, DevOps, and repository management so you can ship faster and collaborate better.

Here are some additional programs to guide you through your journey:

• Advanced Prompt Engineering Course with ChatGPT
• JavaScript Basics from Scratch
• Artificial Intelligence in the Real World

Feeling uncertain about your next step? Get personalized career counseling to identify the best opportunities for you. Visit upGrad’s offline centers for expert mentorship, hands-on workshops, and networking sessions to connect you with industry leaders!

Boost your career with our popular Software Engineering courses, offering hands-on training and expert guidance to turn you into a skilled software developer.

Explore our Popular Software Engineering Courses

Master in-demand Software Development skills like coding, system design, DevOps, and agile methodologies to excel in today’s competitive tech industry.

In-Demand Software Development Skills

Stay informed with our widely-read Software Development articles, covering everything from coding techniques to the latest advancements in software engineering.

Read our Popular Articles related to Software

Reference:
https://github.blog/changelog/